Map: California Home to Most Densely Populated Areas

View city population density statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau's updated list of urban areas.

The U.S. Census Bureau released an updated list of urban areas today, showing more people are migrating to population centers throughout the U.S.

New estimates indicate 80.7 percent of Americans now reside in urban areas, up from 79 percent in 2000. Population density for these areas varies greatly, ranging from about 400 residents per square mile to more than 5,000 in larger cities.

California is home to a significant number of the nation’s most densely-populated urbanized areas. Of the top 50 areas with the highest population density, all but 15 are located in the Golden State.

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Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif. is the most densely populated area in the country, with nearly 7,000 residents per square mile. The following 10 urbanized areas have the highest population density:

Location

Population

Population/sq. mile

Los Angeles, Calif.

12,150,996

6,999

San Francisco, Calif.

3,281,212

6,266

San Jose, Calif.

1,664,496

5,820

Delano, Calif.

54,372

5,483

New York, N.Y.

18,351,295

5,319

Davis, Calif.

72,794

5,157

Lompoc, Calif.

51,509

4,816

Honolulu, Hawaii

802,459

4,716

Woodland, Calif.

55,513

4,551

Las Vegas, Nev.

1,886,011

4,525

The Census Bureau estimates 95 percent of Californians reside in urban areas – the highest nationwide. New Jersey is close behind, with urban areas accounting for 94.7 percent of the population.

Urban areas are divided into two groups: There are 486 “urbanized areas," defined as having populations of at least 50,000. The Census Bureau considers smaller areas with 2,500 to 50,000 residents to be “urban clusters.”